Beer-pump cleaner



' (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. J. GEIGER. BEER PUMP GLEANER.

No. 572,631. Patented Dec. 8, 1896.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. GEIG-ER, or CLYDE, orno.

BEER-PUM P CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 572,631, dated December 8, 1896.

' A lication filed February 5,1896. Serial No. 578,161. (No model.)

To ally/ham, it may conceive.-

Be it known that I, JOHN J. GEIGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Clyde, in the county of Sandusky and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Beer-Pipe Cleaner, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to appliances for cleaning apparatus connected with dispensing beer and other malt beverages which have a tendency to ffoul the pump, pipes, and fancet. The cleansing process of such apparatus is attended with great difficulty and requires considerable time and the exercise of patient and diligent effort. As a result of the task and time required to clean beer-dispensing apparatus the operation is either indifferently performed or resorted to at long intervals apart, thereby impairing the flavor of the beverage, besides rendering the same unwholesome.

By thisiinvention the faucet, pipes, and pump can be thoroughly cleaned in a few minutes and without the help of any person other than that required to couple and apply the device to the spigot of the water-fixture and to the beer-faucet.

The advantages of the invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art as the same is understood, and to this end reference is to be had to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference-characters denote corresponding and like parts in all the figures.

The improvement issusceptible of various changes in the form, proportion, and the minorldetails of construction without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and to a full disclosure of the invention an adaptation thereof is shown, in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows the invention applied. Fig. 2 is a vertical central longitudinal section of the vessel or receptacle for containing the cleaning agent. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the manner of coupling the device to the spigot of .the water-fixture. Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the'manner of. coupling the de Vice to the beer-faucet. Fig. 5 is a detail View of thebeer-faucet coupling and the clamping devices connected therewith.

The water-spigot is indicated by the numeral 1, the beer-faucet by the numeral 2, and thebar is designated by the numeral 3. The spigot 1. is of ordinary construction and has connection with the water-main by means of the service-pipe in the usual way. The beer-faucet 2 is of well-known formation and is connected to the beer-pump and keg in the cellar or vault by means of a pipe at in any convenient way. r

The vessel or receptacle. 5 for containing the cleaning agent is provided at one end'with an ingress-nozzle 6 and at its opposite end withan egress-nozzle 7, and is depressed at a point between the nozzles 6 and 7 to form a chamber 8, in which is placed the cleaning agent 9, which may be any alkaline salt, common table salt, or other substance or chemical generally employedfor cleaning purposes.

In the preferred construction the vessel or receptacle 5 gradually tapers from a middle point toward its ends and presents the appearance of two funnels of corresponding size secured together at their bases or larger ends. The angular space formed between the lower diverging sides forms the receptacle or chamber 8, which contains the charge or cleaning agent for effecting the object of the invention. An opening at the top side of the vessel or receptacle is provided with a neck 10, which is screw-threaded to receive a cap 11, by means of which the said opening and neck are closed after the cleaning agent has been supplied to the receptacle and when the device is inus'e. A rim 12 is fitted to the lower side of the vessel and forms a stand to support the said vessel or receptacle in an upright position. The vessel or receptacle 5 will be constructed of any material suitable for the purpose and not affected by the cleaning agent, and for the sake of lightness and durability it will be formed of sheet metal, preferably copper, although tin may be employed by japanning or coating the same to prevent the cleaning agent attacking and corroding the same.

Each of the nozzles 6 and 7 projects a short IOO distance into the vessel or receptacle 5, so as to provide a surrounding chamber which will prevent the ready escape of the cleaning agent either by the circulation of the water or when tipping the device. The projecting ends of the nozzles are screw-threaded or otherwise constructed to have the hose-pipes 13 and 14 coupled thereto in the usual or any preferred way.

A deflector 15 is provided at the inner end of the ingress-nozzle (5 and serves to change the direction of the incoming stream of water, thereby compelling it to take a downward course, as indicated by the arrow, so as to come in contact with the cleaning agent 9 and become impregnated therewith, whereby it will leave the vessel or receptacle, carrying in solution more or less of the cleaning agent to out and clean the slime and other impurities from the inner walls of the beer-dispensing apparatus. This deflector 15 is a strip of metal or other material and may be attached to the nozzle 6 or to the body of the vessel or receptacle and inclines toward the chamber 8 and across the path of the stream of water escaping from the nozzle 6.

The free end of the hose-pipe 13 will be supplied with the ordinary coupling to make connection with the threaded end of the waterspigot 1, whereby a close joint is attained; but since beer-faucets are smooth it has been necessary to devise special means for coupling the free end of the hose-pipe 14 thereto, and, as shown, these means consist of a coupling 16, having its outer end 17 enlarged and provided with vertical ears 18 and forming a shoulder 19, upon which is placed a rubber or leather gasket 20, whereby a close joint is had between the end of the beer-faucet and the coupling 16 when the device is in operation.

A lever 21 has its inner end forked and the end portions of the forks 22 bent approximately at right angles, as shown at 23, and the terminal portions bent inwardly, forming journals 24:,which obtain bearings in openings in the ears 1S, and which journals form the fulcra of the said lever. A bail 25 has pivotal connection at its ends with the forks 22 of the lever 21 at or near the point of flection of the ends 23, and the closed end of the bail is supplied with a sleeve 26, of rubber or other elastic and compressible material, to prevent the marring of the beer-faucet and the slip ping therefrom of the bail when fitting or coupling the device thereto. Moreover, this elastic sleeve 26 cooperates with the gasket 20 to secure a close joint between the coupling 16 and the beer-faucet, since it allows that portion of the sleeve coining between the bail and the faucet to be compressed when bringing the lever 21 into a nearly vertical position when drawing the parts together. Then it is required to couple the cleaner to the beer-faucet, the outer end of the lever 21 is turned into a nearly vertical position, so-

as to bring the closed end of the bail 25 and the end of the coupling 16 a maximum distance apart, after which the end of the coupling 16 is placed against the end of the fancet and the bail 25 engaged therewith, and by depressing the outer end of the lever 21 the parts will be drawn together and a close joint secured, as will be readily understood.

NVhen the inner end of the fork touches the coupling 16, the journals or fulcra 24 will be exterior to a straight line passing through the closed end of the bail 25 and the point of connection of the said bail with the forks 22, thereby providing a lock-j oint which will prevent the separation of the parts, as will be readily understood.

WVhen it is required to cleanse the beerdispensing apparatus, the end of the hosepipe 13 is coupled to the water-spigot and the hose-pipe 14: is coupled to the beer-faucet, and the Vessel or receptacle 5 being supplied with a proper quantity of the cleaning agent both the beer-faucet and the water-spigot are opened, and the water flowing from the waterspigot through the hose-pipes 13 and 14: and the vessel or receptacle 5 will take up a cer tain percentage of the cleaning agent and becoming impregnated therewith will pass through the said beer-dispensing apparatus and remove therefrom all slime and impurities and effectually cleanse and sweeten the same. It will be seen that the water is thus compelled to pass through the beer-dispensing apparatus in an inverse direction to the passage of the beer or beverage therethro ugh. Hence the cleansing is performed and accomplished in less time than would be possible by causing the water .to flow through the apparatus in the same direction as the beer.-

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. A device for cleansing apparatus for dispensing malt beverages, the same comprising a vessel or receptacle having oppositely-flaring walls forming a depressed chamber between its ends to receive the cleaning agent, nozzles at the extremities of the vessel having their inner ends in horizontal alinement and in a plane. above the said chamber, a strip attached to the inner end of the ingressnozzle above the opening therein and extend ing into the vessel, and inclining across the path of the stream of water escaping from the nozzle to turn the water out of its natural course and into the aforesaid chamber, and means for connecting the ingress-nozzle to a water fixture and the egress-nozzle to the dispensing apparatus to be cleansed, substantially as specified.

2. A device for cleansing apparatus for dispensing malt beverages, the same comprising a vessel gradually flarin g from its ends toward an intermediate point, presenting the appearance of two funnels united at their bases or enlarged ends, and having an opening in its side for the admission of a cleaning agent,

IIO

nozzles at the ends of the Vessel and extendmy own I have hereto affixed my signature in ing into the latter a short distance, a defiecthe presence of two Witnesses. tor applied to the inner end of the ingressnozzle and means for connecting the nozzles JOHN J. GEIGER. 5 with a water-fixture and the apparatus to be Witnesses:

cleansed, substantially as described. JOHN H. SIGGERs;

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as HAROLD H. SIMMS. 

